Summary of TFA Measure. Governments must publish certain trade-related information (see Table III.1, below). • Governments must publish the required information “promptly” and in a “non- discriminatory” and “easily accessible manner” to allow other governments, traders and interested persons to become acquainted with the information.
Summary of TFA Measure. Governments must prepare practical guides of their import, export, and transit procedures including appeal procedures • Governments must publish on the Internet:
(i) the practical guides,
(ii) the documents or forms required for import, export or transit,
Summary of TFA Measure. A government shall establish one or more “enquiry points” to respond to “reasonable” questions from governments, traders and other interested persons about the matters listed in Article 1.1, and to requests for required forms and documents. • If a member of a customs union or involved in regional integration, the government may opt to participate in a regional enquiry point, rather than establishing a national enquiry point. • Governments shall respond to such enquiries and requests within a “reasonable” time. • Any fees charged shall be limited to the approximate cost incurred.
Summary of TFA Measure. Traders and other interested parties must be given an opportunity and reasonable time to comment on proposals for new laws and administrative regulations relating to movement, release and clearance of goods, as well as any amendments thereto. • New or amended laws and regulations must be made publicly available as early as possible before their entry into force.
Summary of TFA Measure. Border authorities should hold “regular consultations” with their stakeholders.
Summary of TFA Measure. Customs shall provide a written ruling on request concerning the tariff classification or origin of goods prior to their importation, and may issue rulings on other customs issues, such as customs valuation. • A ruling can be requested by an exporter, importer or “any person with a justifiable cause” or their representatives. • The ruling shall be binding on Customs and remain valid for a reasonable period of time. • The person requesting the ruling shall have rights to be notified if Customs takes certain actions adverse to his interests (such as a refusal to issue a ruling or a decision to revoke or modify a ruling). • Customs must publish requirements for applications for rulings, the time period in which the ruling will be issued, and the length of time for which the ruling will be valid.
Summary of TFA Measure. Customs must provide reasons for their decisions. • Governments must provide traders with the right to appeal customs decisions or omissions to an independent or higher level administrative authority and/or judicial body. • If the decision on appeal is not made within a reasonable period (or within a period of time defined by law), the person should be able to appeal to a higher administrative authority or a court. • Governments should extend these appeal procedures to other border authorities, in addition to Customs.
Summary of TFA Measure. If a government uses a system to notify border authorities to enhance controls or inspections with respect to imports of food, beverages or feedstuffs in order to protect human, animal or plant health (e.g., rapid alert systems), then the government must adopt certain disciplines to ensure fairness and transparency in the operation of the system.
Summary of TFA Measure. If Customs or another border authority detains imported goods for inspection, it shall promptly inform the carrier, the importer or his agent (such as the customs broker, acting on the importer’s behalf).
Summary of TFA Measure. Border authorities may grant traders the right to a second test, where test results on a sample of goods taken upon arrival of goods declared for importation are adverse to the trader. • Border authorities shall publish the contact information of laboratories where confirmatory tests can be carried out or provide this information to the importer. (They may be regional or international laboratories, if there are no national accredited laboratories.) • Border authorities shall consider the results of the second test.
